by John Plummer

With the 2020 physique competition season rapidly approaching, athletes will be considering which events to take part in.

There is no shortage of private companies staging contests but if you compete with the UKBFF you are affiliated to the IFBB, which was founded by Joe and Ben Weider in 1946 and is the largest bodybuilding and fitness federation in the world.

This means history and prestige unparalleled anywhere else – as well as superb opportunities.

The size and status of the IFBB, which is widely recognised as the global federation for bodybuilding, just as FIFA is for football and World Athletics is for athletics, is what sets it apart.

The UKBFF is one of about 200 national members of the IFBB, which holds more than 6,000 events each year at world, continental, regional, national and local level.

The UKBFF has a full programme of events this year beginning with the UK Nationals on 5 April at the Beck Theatre in Hayes, west London.

This is a selection event for the IFBB European Championships and World Championships, which means winners who pass a WADA doping test will have the opportunity to represent their country at major international sporting events.

The UKBFF is also the route to the Arnold Classic Africa and the Arnold Classic Europe, as well as the prestigious Diamond Cup circuit of events.

Winners of the UKBFF British Championships in October – an event dating back some 40 years – will be eligible to apply for professional status with the IFBB Elite Pro division, which has more than $1m prize money.

Last year, the UK's Abies Nosa won $11,500 in prize money in the pro ranks while Olga Upelniece earned $6,000 for finishing second in bodyfitness in the $300,000 IFBB World Rankings.

No Rise in Membership Fees

“We look forward to welcoming back existing members and new ones in 2020,” says Bill Tierney, president of the UKBFF. “We continue to keep the sport affordable for members. A two-year membership remains at just £75 while a four-year membership is only £125.”

Remember, a federation is a group of semi-autonomous groups (such as the UKBFF) that are affiliated to a main body (the IFBB). Many physique organisations describe themselves as federations but are in fact private companies run by one or two individuals, whose events are not recognised by anyone beyond themselves.

The IFBB, by contrast, is a not-for-profit international sport governing body recognised by governments and National Olympic Committees.

It is also a member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations and is recognised by, amongst others, the Association of Pan American Sport Federations, the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic African Committees.

This is why IFBB bodybuilding was part of last year's Pan-American Games in Peru – an event watched by 400m people.

Membership therefore comes with rules – but also unrivalled opportunities and prestige.